Children placed in state custody

Families & households

Children placed in state custody

steady

What does this measure?

The annual number of children under age 19 placed in the care of the Department of Children's Services, expressed as a rate per 1,000 youths under 19. This includes both abused or neglected children and those who have been determined unruly/delinquent and are part of the juvenile justice system.

Why is this important?

This is an indicator of families' inability to care for their children in a healthy and/or safe environment.

How is our region performing?

In 2013, 5.4 children per 1,000 in the region were placed in state custody, higher than the 4.3 placed per 1,000 statewide. Between 2007 and 2013, the annual number of children in the region placed in state custody has declined slightly, from 1,283 in 2007 to 1,242 in 2013. Over the same time period statewide, the number of children placed into state custody increased from almost 5,500 to more than 7,200.

Among the counties, Union had the highest rate by far with 17.7 children per 1,000 placed state custody (85 children total). Most other counties had rates between 4 and 8 children per 1,000, with Jefferson (7.0 per 1,000, or 87 children total) and Anderson (7.6 per 1,000, or 133 children total) also particularly high.

Notes about the data

Capacity limitations and changes in policy (for example, an emphasis on keeping families together) may affect placement decisions and be reflected in a lower rate of children placed in state custody.